Contact Science, Tobacco & You at: stu@magnet.fsu.edu
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Eutrophication
Large amounts of fertilizers are used to grow tobacco. Sometimes these fertilizers are washed by rain into lakes and ponds. Fertilizers contain very rich foods for plants. This causes plants in the water, such as algae, to increase in growth. This process is called eutrophication (you-tro-fik-a-shun). Eutrophication may cause water plants to grow so much that the lake or pond becomes choked with plants. The plants then begin to die, resulting in the lowering of the amount of oxygen in the water. Fish and other water animals need oxygen to live. Without enough oxygen in the water, the fish and other animals begin to die. Scientists say that eutrophication is a very serious environmental problem.
Center for Integrating Research and Learning at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
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